Daily Archives: January, 26, 2013

The National Review Instituteheld a conference in Washington DC, this weekend, where policy wonks and writers focused on the challenges facing conservatives.

Charles Krauthammer’s full hour of speaking and answering questions can be viewed at CSPAN. I enjoyed National Revieweditor, Rich Lowry’s introduction of the great man, especially his description of the nightly ritual he shares with so many of us – “I plan my life around 6:40 Eastern time to be in front of the TV to watch you on the Special Report panel.”

Here’s a short snippet from the question/answer period. When asked who his favorite liberal columnist was, he answered, “David Brooks” prompting chuckles from the audience.

He also talked at length about what he called the “open lawlessness” of the Obama administration, saying he was encouraged by the First Circuit’s ruling that threw out the NRLB appointments.

Texas senator Ted Cruz addressed the NRI Summit earlier today. Wearing a business suit and black cowboy boots, he had the podium removed from the stage so he could roam freely, and spoke without notes. In his remarks, Cruz offered guidance for his fellow GOP lawmakers. On his way out, I asked him to pass along some of that advice for National Review Online readers who couldn’t be here today, and about the role that the NRSC, of which he–along with Ohio senator Rob Portman– serves as vice chair, will play in the 2014 election.

Legislators in Missouri, Kansas and elsewhere are crafting legislation to nullify U.S. statutes. But experts say such efforts are unconstitutional.

Ed Emery is ready to send the federal government a message.

The first-term state senator from Lamar thinks Congress oversteps its constitutional authority over and over again, and the president is due for impeachment. It’s well past time, he insists, for the states to take a stand.

“State government is the first line of defense against unconstitutional acts by the federal government,” he said. “Whether you call it states’ rights, whether you call it state sovereignty, whatever you call it.”

Emery is hardly alone.

Frustrated by the expanded power of Washington, lawmakers in Missouri, Kansas and a growing number of politically conservative states have decided to ignore — and in many cases openly defy — federal law. They cite the U.S. Constitution for their actions, even as experts doubt their interpretation of the testy balance between state and federal power.

I had the opportunity to hear Emery speak at a Liberty Loyalists event, last September. His talk seems highly prescient, today, as it focused on the Second Amendment as a check to government tyranny. Start watching at 1:40.

“Hydraulic fracturing” sounds ominous, right? You’re not really sure what it is, has a lot of syllables, and sounds scary. In 2010, the documentary Gasland played off that lack of knowledge to make hydraulic fracturing into a villain that caused well water to be set on fire, made people sick, and even caused earthquakes.

After watching the film, journalist, Phelim McAleer, came away skeptical of director Josh Fox’s claims. To answer his questions, he went on a journey to tell a more-complete story about how hydraulic fracturing is helping local communities and powering America’s energy boom. FrackNation, which aired on AXS TV Tuesday night, is that story.

PJTV Trifecta: Hail to the Leftist: Obama’s Inaugural Speech the Worst In American History:

President Obama delivered a shocking speech at his second inauguration in which he embraced European collectivism and abandoned individual liberty. Hear what the President said, and why Bill Whittle thinks the Obama inaugural ceremony was both bizarre and evil.

Hundreds of students and their parents helped kick off National School Choice Week 2013, January 26, at Union Station in Los Angeles, Calif. The week long celebration includes a 14 stop, cross-country tour starting at Union Station and ending in New York City’s Penn Station.

“This is an opportunity for families who really want to change things in this country to actually make a difference and they are,” said National School Choice Week founder Andrew Campanella, who hosted the event.

Reason TV was on hand to capture the event which included speeches from parents, Ben Austin of Parent Revolution and former state senator Gloria Romero, who is now state director of Democrats for Education Reform.

And now for something completely different via @KLSouth: Undercover Karaoke with Jewel: